Abstract. The rich small mammal assemblage of
the Tegelen Egypte locality is revised. The following species are recognized
(the frequency of remains is given in brackets): Mimomys pliocaenicus (10.9%),
M. reidi (17.4%), M. tigliensis n. sp. (38.3%), M. pitymyoides (0.1%),
Clethrionomys kretzoii (20.1%) and Ungaromys dehmi (13.2%). Mimomys pitymyoides
is recognized in the fauna for the first time. The genus name, Pitymimomys,
is proposed for the 'Mimomys pitymyoides' group. Mimomys tigliensis sp.
nov. is considered to be the ancestral form of M. tornensis. The new species
is less hypsodont and smaller than M. tornensis. The vole association is
thought to represent humid forest and riparian biotopes of the late Tiglian.
The Tegelen fauna is of late Villanyian age and predates the terminal Villanyian
assemblage with Mimomys ostramosensis-Mimomys tornensis.

Abstract. A new aberrant species of the genus Mimomys is described from
the late Pliocene deposits of the Zuurland borehole. The new species, Mimomys
hordijki is characterised by thick, almost undifferentiated enamel, a prominent
Mimomys-ridge, an advanced stage of hypsodonty and high dentine tracts
also on the Mimomys-ridge.

Abstract. Evolution of the numerous rooted vole lineages in the Plio-Pleistocene
gives dear examples of rapid dental changes in the direction of hypsodonty.
The relationships between the morphological stages of the molar roots development
and the demographic features of vole population have been studied on the
basis of several samples of fossil voles and the analysis of modern neontological
literature. Young individuals from the beginning of the first to the third
month are among the most numerous and vulnerable to environmental influences.
The remains of voles of this age dominate in fossil assemblages. Based
on this conclusion, the formation of the root system in the ontogenesis
of several vole species has been investigated. The following 3 major groups
were distinguished according to the ontogenic timing of root formation:
in Group A roots are formed among voles of juvenile-adolescent age; in
Group B roots are formed among subadult voles; in Group C the root formation
occurs among adults.

Abstract. We introduce this issue of Paludicola as a volume dedicated
to the systematics and evolution of "Allophaiomys" a set of species
representing the early phases of diversification of Microtus-like taxa.
Some background infoimation is provided and then we speculate, presenting
two conflicting arguments, on the existence and nomenclatorial integrity
of "Allophaiomys" considered as a new construct here defined
as a metaregion. Metaregions, or ancestral taxa defined by a set of symplesiomorphies
relative to their descendants, are viewed as genetically constrained developmental
conduits and deserve investigation. However, their recognition as formal
supraspecific taxonomic entities is precluded because of their polyphyletic
condition, despite the interesting paradox that they represented a homogeneous
and probably sibling set of species during their existence. We recommend
that the use of Allophaiomys be discontinued.

Abstract. The first Allophaiomys appeared in the south of Eastern Europe
witfain advanced Borsodia -Mimomys associations of the Odessa small mammal
complex. In the oldest faunas Allophaiomys is associated with dominant
and extremely hypsodont Lagurini with rooted molars, Borsodia, and then
with the first lagurines with rootless molais. These associations are correlated
with latest Villanyian- earliest Biharian faunas of Central Europe. Two
samples were studied in detail. These are Allophaiomys from Klyzhanovka
4 (Odessa area, the Ukraine), and Tizdar (Taman Peninsula, Russia).

The earliest known Allophaiomys of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov area
are characterized by: I, Slightly negative "Mimomys") pattern
of enamel thickness differentiation. The thickness was measured along leading
and trailing edges of "basic triangles" (TI-T2-T3) in lower molars
and in upper MI, in T2-T3 of M2, aid in T2-T3-T4 ofM3. BTQ values were calculated
according to a standard technique. Values for upper molars turned out to
t)e slightly more "Mimomys " than those in lower molars. BTQ
for ml is 116.7, n=27 (Tizdar), and 110.3, n=24 (Kryzhanovka4). 2, Pachytaiem
shmeizmuster. Trailing edges of triangles are thicker than the leading
ones because of a presence of well-developed layer of tangential enamel.
3, Relatively short and simple anteroconid of ml and posterior loop ofM3.
4, TI-T2, and especially T3-T4 are confluent in m2-m3.

Early Allophaiomys from the Black Sea and Sea of Azov area are distinct
from A.pliocaenicus in lower A/L index, and in negatively differentiated
enamel. They are different from A.deucalion in Iligher frequency of "hook-like"
morphotypes of posterior loop in M3.

Abstract. The Tizdar and Kryzhanovka 4 localities were formed during
pre-Olduvai time. The lower age limit for these localities is restricted
by the age of the Psekups locality of the North Caucasus. Allophaiomys
appears in Eastern Europe between 2.25 and 1.96 Ma.

Abstract. The lagomorph fauna from the Kosyakino locality (Stavropol
Region; Early Pliocene, Zone MN 14) includes Ochotona cf. antiqua Argyropulo
et Pidoplitshko, 1939, Prolagus caucasicus sp. nov., and Hypolagus cf.
igromovi Gureev, 1964. This assemblage differs from all known lagomorph
associations from the Turolian and Ruscinian of Eastern Europe by the prevalence
of Ochotona and Prolagus.